About St. Roman · Milwaukee, Wisconsin
St. Roman Parish is a bilingual (English/Spanish) Catholic parish in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, located at 1710 W. Bolivar Avenue on Milwaukee's south side. Founded in 1956 and dedicated in 1960, the parish shares a campus with St. Roman Parish School (K–8) and is currently celebrating its 70th anniversary. It offers a Sunday Spanish Mass in addition to its English schedule, partners with neighboring St. Charles Borromeo Parish for weekday Masses and formation, and runs an active food pantry serving three south-side zip codes.
- Established
- 1959
- Patron
- St. Roman
- Rector
- Father Gideon Buya
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Milwaukee
Why belong here
St. Roman Parish welcomes families seeking a bilingual Catholic community rooted in prayer, formation, and service on Milwaukee's south side. The parish operates a K–8 grade school, a robust Faith Formation program for K4–8, a children's and adult choir, and a food pantry that serves neighbors in the 53220, 53221 and 53207 zip codes. By joining you become part of a family that celebrates the sacraments together, walks with the homebound, and collaborates with neighboring parishes to share the faith for generations to come.
Mass times at St. Roman
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM (English)
Welcome to St. Roman Parish
St. Roman Parish describes itself as 'the Living Stones' — faith-filled families of a Catholic community and school located at 1710 W. Bolivar Avenue in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The parish extends a warm welcome and invites visitors to come see what life here is all about, with a bilingual (English/Spanish) Mass schedule, faith formation for children, a K–8 grade school, a music ministry, and a food-pantry outreach. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
- Located at 1710 W. Bolivar Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53221
- Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Phone: 414-282-9063; Fax: 414-282-6464
Our Story and Heritage
St. Roman was established in June 1956 at the request of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Fr. Maximilian Adamski was asked to found the new parish and chose its name in honor of the late Auxiliary Bishop of Milwaukee, Roman Atkielski. The first Mass was celebrated on August 2, 1959, the cornerstone was laid in 1958, and the church was formally dedicated on April 24, 1960. The parish grade school opened the same September of 1959 with 304 students, four Felician Sisters, and one lay teacher. A 1988 church renovation and the 1995 construction of the Betz Center and remodeling of Adamski Hall marked major moments in the parish's growth. The parish recently celebrated its 70th anniversary and remains committed to passing the legacy of faith in Jesus to families well into the 21st century.
- Founded June 1956 by Fr. Maximilian Adamski
- Named for Auxiliary Bishop Roman Atkielski
- First Mass: August 2, 1959
- Church dedication: April 24, 1960
- Cornerstone: 1958
- School opened September 1959
- 1988 church renovation
- 1995 Betz Center / Adamski Hall remodeling
- Recently marked 70th anniversary
Who is St. Roman? — Our Patron Saint
St. Roman is a relatively obscure early Christian martyr. The parish notes that we do not know his actual name — he was originally referred to as 'the Roman Saint' and that order later reversed to become 'St. Roman.' He was a policeman / correctional officer / civil servant serving in Rome when St. Lawrence had been imprisoned for refusing to surrender the treasury of the Roman Church to the Empire. As Roman watched Lawrence's fortitude during his persecution, he approached the holy martyr and asked to be received into the Faith. St. Lawrence gave him the necessary instructions and baptized him in prison. Roman then publicly proclaimed his conversion to his fellow officers and was immediately arrested. He received the crown of martyrdom by being beheaded on August 9, 258 — the day before the execution of St. Lawrence.
- Feast day: August 9
- Martyred by beheading on August 9, 258
- Baptized by St. Lawrence in prison
- Original name unknown; called 'the Roman Saint' before the name reversed
Faith Formation and Religious Education
St. Roman's Christian Formation program serves children in grades K4 through 8 in a bi-weekly Sunday format from 8:45 AM to 10:15 AM, beginning in September and concluding in May. Because Mass is now part of the program, parents and siblings are encouraged to attend Mass with the student. In addition to classroom Religious Education, the program includes a Day of Reflection — St. John Bosco Day at Holy Hill — and a Day Retreat at the Wisconsin Catholic Youth Rally at Carroll University in Waukesha, both required parts of the program. Registration is handled by Betty Salazar, Director of Christian Formation.
- Grades K4–8
- Bi-weekly Sundays 8:45–10:15 AM, Sept–May
- St. John Bosco Day Reflection at Holy Hill
- Wisconsin Catholic Youth Rally at Carroll University
- Contact: Betty Salazar, [email protected], 414-282-9063 ext. 414
Music and Liturgical Ministries
Music and liturgical life are central to parish worship. The Adult Choir provides musical leadership at the 10:30 AM liturgy throughout the year from September through Pentecost, drawing on a wide repertoire from Gregorian Chant to present-day compositions. The choir also leads music at Christmas, Holy Week, and the annual Day of Remembrance. The Children's Choir serves at one liturgy per month from October through May and is open to children in grades 1 through 5. Cantors and instrumentalists round out the music ministry. Liturgical ministries include Acolyte/Server (open from 4th grade through adulthood), Lectors/Readers, Extraordinary Ministers of Communion, Ushers/Greeters (Hospitality Ministers), and Ministers of Environment. Veronica Fregoso serves as Director of Liturgy and Music.
- Adult Choir (Sept–Pentecost)
- Children's Choir (grades 1–5, Oct–May)
- Cantor Ministry
- Acolyte/Server (4th grade and up)
- Lectors/Readers
- Extraordinary Ministers of Communion
- Ushers/Greeters
- Ministers of Environment
- Director of Liturgy & Music: Veronica Fregoso
Outreach and the Food Pantry
St. Roman's Food Pantry is an outreach ministry that provides supplemental food to people who qualify and live in the 53220, 53221, or 53207 zip codes. The pantry is staffed by dedicated volunteers (always looking for more help) and each client may visit once per month. Food comes from the generous donations of parishioners and from a partnership with Hunger Task Force. In addition, St. Roman operates a joint Formation/Evangelization Committee with St. Charles Borromeo Parish that includes visiting the homebound and supporting parish commissions.
- Serves zip codes 53220, 53221, 53207
- Clients may visit once per month
- Partnered with Hunger Task Force
- Joint Formation Committee with St. Charles Borromeo Parish
- Homebound ministry
St. Roman Parish School
Sharing the Bolivar Avenue campus with the church, St. Roman Parish School is a K–8 Catholic grade school accredited by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and the Wisconsin Coalition of Religious and Independent Schools. It began in September 1959 with 304 students, four Felician Sisters, and one lay teacher and continues today to serve south-side families. The current principal is Susan Shawver. The school's instructional program includes religion, English, reading, mathematics, science, social studies, Spanish, music, art, and physical education, along with a computer program (clip art, keyboarding, internet research). Athletic offerings have historically included volleyball, football, basketball, and soccer.
- K–8 Catholic grade school
- Opened September 1959 with 304 students
- Four Felician Sisters and one lay teacher at founding
- Accredited by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and WCRIS
- Principal: Susan Shawver
- School phone: 414-282-7970
- School address: 1810 W Bolivar Ave
Parish Staff and Clergy
St. Roman is led by a pastor and associate pastor, with a deacon and a dedicated lay staff supporting liturgy, formation, administration, and the parish office. Communications and inquiries can be directed through the parish office during weekday hours.
- Pastor: Father Gideon Buya
- Associate Pastor: Father Shijo Thomas
- Deacon: Deacon Jorge Zuniga
- Director of Administrative Services: Jenny Sczesny
- Director of Liturgy and Music: Veronica Fregoso
- Director of Christian Formation: Betty Salazar
- Parish Secretary: Vanessa Camarillo
Visiting and Joining the Parish
St. Roman Parish extends a warm welcome to visitors. Those wishing to register can download a New Parishioner Registration Form from the parish website and return it to the parish office. The parish describes itself as 'the Living Stones' and invites new families to attend Mass, join a ministry (choir, server, lector, food pantry volunteer), enroll children in Faith Formation or the parish school, and become part of an active, engaged Catholic community on Milwaukee's south side.
- New Parishioner Registration Form available on stromans.com
- Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Phone: 414-282-9063
- Website: http://www.stromans.com/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Maximilian Adamski1956–founding
Asked by the Archdiocese to establish the parish in June 1956